i 1. 



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t LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 






|IJNITED 8TATES OF AMKHICA.Jj 



TU E 



SAWYER'S COMPANION; 



INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING AND CHOOSING 



LONG AND CIRCULAR SAWS. 



BY 



/ 



SANDFORD E. PARSONS. 



A PRACTICAL MILLWRIGHT, AND THE INVENTOR AND MANUFAC- 
TUKER OF THE SELF-STRAINING, AND SELF-RANGING 
STATIONARY SAW FRAMES, AND OTHER 
MACHINERY FOR SAW MILLS. 




WILKESBARRE, 
LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. 

1857. 



X 



6^ 



€^ 



TO 

0. D. MUNN, ESQ., 

FOR HIS UNTIRING EFFORTS, 

THROUGH THE COLUMNS OF THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. 

TO DISSEMINATE NEW AND USEFUL KNOWLEDGE, AS WELL AS 

FOR niS DEFENCE OF PATENTEES. 

AND SYMPATHIES WITH THEM: 

THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY 



THE AUTHOR. 



d 




V^ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 

SANDFORD E. PARSONS, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for 

the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 

STEREOTYPED BY 

JESTER HARDING & SON, 

NO. 57 SOUTH THIRD STREET, PHILADELPHIA. 




PllEFACE 



To THE Rkadkr. — Tlie Lumbering business Las become one 
of great mngnitude, involving the investment of millions of 
capital, and it is constantly on the increase. 

Fortunes have been made by it, and fortunes lost; but of- 
tener lost by the want of judicious management, and good ma- 
chinery ; but oftenest, by poor, and badly dressed or badly fit- 
ted i^au's. 

A poor mill, with a well fitted saw, not unfrequently produces 
more net profit, than a good one with a badly fitted saw. The 
latter requires double power, and is therefore subjected to 
double wear and tear, besides making an inferior quality of 
lumber. 

Sometimes a saw will bear double the feed that it will at 
other times, and will work with as much case, as every Sawyer 
knows. 

Now, how can the cause of this diflFerence be known, and how 
remedied ? 

The design of the following pages is to furnish that informa- 
tion ; and this is the only apology the author offers for the in- 
troduction of this book to the public. 

The owner of a mill, who lacks experience, with this book in 
hand, can save himself from the imposition of inexperienced 
Sawyers ; and such Sawyers may soon become expert work- 
men by the same means ; thus rendering this laborious and 
toilsome occupation, comparatively pleasant and profitable. 



Small and constant losses are more ruinous than large ones ; 
for a failure in the former case, generally leaves a man without 
credit ; but, with a failure in the latter case, it is easier to re- 
tain a character for honesty and capability, besides having the 
sympathies of his neighbors, and that is equal to a small capi- 
tal. 

There are a few weak points about saw mills, which, together, 
not unfrequently consume fifty per cent, of power ; and this oc- 
curs from a want of knowledge, and not for the want of funds ; 
for many times, the same money, properly laid out, would be 
more than sufficient to add the requisite strength, making a 
mill worth double its former value with these deficiencies. 

Badly fitted saws, with defective and badly used machinery, are 
sufficient, either of them, to sink a handsome profit, and not 
unfrequently ruin a man ; but combined, like the sting of a 
viper, they are, sooner or later, sure to destroy. 



INDEX. 



TAOR BEC 

Arbor not level, - - - -- - - -oU 11 

Arbor not parallel with the next shaft, - - - S'J 12 

Arbor crowding against its shoulders or its ends, - - 39 13 

Action uncertain and laborious, ----- 24 6 

Anglo proper for circular saw teeth, - - - - 36 11 

Boards rough at bottom, - - - - - - 26 13 

Brasses poor, - - - - - - - - -39 10 

Belts short, .-..-.-.- 38 9 

Belts tight, --------- 38 8 

Churning saw through, - • - - - - 15 15 

Carriage out of line, ------ -30 25 

Cross cutting circulars, ----- 37 12 

Cross cutting circulars, motion of, -' - - - - 37 13 

Crank, length of, - - - - - - . - 16 16 

Cut trembling, .-- 29 20 

Di'fects of square filing, - -----24 4 

Defects of square filing in general, - - - - 24 5 

Defects of square filing, first patent for overcoming, - 24 6 

Defects of square filing, second patent for overcoming, 25 7 

Defects second and third, -----.25 8 

Doffcts in circulars, - - - - - - -37 14 

Differences between square and bevel filing, - - - 25 9 

Dishing, cause of, - - - - - - - - 30 26 

Edges, width of, -------- 22 29 

Edges, how to turn, up again,- - - - - -27 15 

Etlges, stretched, a remedy for, - . - - - 28 17 

Files, ---------- 41 19 

Files, gauge, -------- 21 28 

Filing, two general modes of, - - - - - - 2 > 1 

1 * ( 5 ) 



6 INDEX. 

PAOH SEO. 

Filing square, --------23 2 

Filing square, theory of, ------- 24 4 

Filing instead of cutting, ------24 3 

Filing, defects of, - - - 24 4 

Filing beveling, three modes of, - - - - 26 10 

Filing beveling, first mode, ------ 26 11 

Filing beveling, second mode, ----- 26 12 

Filing beveling, third mode, ------ 26 13 

Filing circular square, ------ 36 6 

Filing circular beveling, ------35 6 

Filers, hand, -------- 40 18 

Filers, power, ------ --40 18 

Feed, rotary, -------- 15 13 

Gauge or thickness of long saws, ----- 10 3 

Gauge or thickness of circulars, ----- 33 2 

Gumming, modes of, - - - - - - - 19 18 

Gumming with a file, ------- 19 19 

Gurainin-g with a machine, ------ 19 20 

Hammering indispensable, - - - - - - 27 14 

Hammering triangular teeth necessary, - - - - 35 8 

Hammering circular teeth unnecessary, - - - 35 7 

Hammering, danger in, - - - - - - - 36 9 

Hammering, how to avoid defects in, - - - - 36 10 

Hammering hardens and refines, - - - - - 28 16 

Hook or angle for circular teeth, ----- 36 11 

Jointing long saws, -------16 17 

Jointing circular saws, ------ 33 3 

Jointer, how made and used, ------33 4 

Jointing, how often, ------- 16 17 

Jointer, observations on, ------ 17 17 

Kerf, the size of, ------- 10 3 

Logs, large, --------- 15 12 

Motion, line of, -------- 36 9 

Motion cross cutting circulars, - - - - - 37 13 

Motion long cutting circulars, - - - - - 37 13 

Motion, loss of, -------- 16 16 

Motion, centre of, ------- 33 3 

Motion, continuous, -------15 13 



INDEX. 7 

VAnr. sr.c. 

Plato srtw true, - - - 9 2 

Plate tapering, .--.----9 2 

Plftte, concave or convex, ------ 9 2 

Power, waste of, -------- -K) 17 

Power, saving of, -------12 6 

Pins, lug, for sash saws, - - - - - - -13 8 

Pins, lug, for mulay saws, - - - - - - 31 2S 

Rake, definition of, - - - - - - - - U 10 

Rake for single hand feed, and rule for, - - - It 11 

Rake, example of, - - - - - - - -14 11 

Rake for double hand feed, and rule for, - - - 15 13 

Rake, more, - - - - - - - - -16 Ifi 

Rake, example of, - - - - - - - 10 Ifi 

Rake, too much, -------- 30 2t 

Saw concave or convex, ------ 9 2 

Snw, width of, - - - 12 6 

Saw, plate true, -------- 9 2 

Saw, plate tapering, -------9 2 

Saw, plate winding, -------Ifl 4 

Saw, plate hard, --------21 25 

Saw badly strained, ------- ,"1 2S 

Saw hanging, - -------- 13 8 

Saw, stretched edge in gumming, - - - - 19 20 

Saw, setting of, 20 21 

Saw, bent set, -------- 20 22 

Saw, bent set, second mode, ----- - 20 23 

Saw, swedged set, - ------20 2t 

Saw set how much, - - - - - - - -10 3 

Saw set, holding, ------- 20 23 

Saw set, zigzag, -------- 30 23 

Saw works winding, ------- 30 21 

Saw, circular, ---------32 1 

Saw, circular, scratching, - - - - - - 39 15 

Saw, circular, scratching, cutting forward, - - - 39 35 

Saw, circular, scratching, returning, - - - - 39 16 

Saw running out of course, ------ 30 22 

Saw heating from bad machinery, - - - - 37 11 

Saw heating from bad filing, ----- - 37 11 



8 INDEX. 

TAOE SEC. 

Saw heating from crowding feed, _ - - - 37 1-t 

Saw heating out of round, ------ 38 It 

Saw heating from zigzag set, -----33 14 

Saw ranging, - - - 42 22 

Saw scraping, -------- 80 21 

Sawyers failing in hard timber, ----- 22 29 

Sawing, ridged or rough, - - - - - - 42 21 

Stirrups, 13 9 

Skill, lack of, - - 40 18 

Swedge, -20 24 

Teeth, souud, -------- 9 1 

Teeth, split, ---- 9 1 

Teeth, coarse, --------12 7 

Teeth, fine, - --12 7 

Teeth, number of, ------- 12 7 

Teeih, unnecessary, - - - - - - -15 12 

Teeth, crowning sides, ------ 22 29 

Teeth, hooking, -------- 24 4 

Teeth, distance apart, ------12 7 

Teeth, crowning edge, ------- 31 27 

Teeth, hollowing edge, ------ 28 IS 

Teeth, equal size, - - 23 19 

Teeth, circular, shape of, ----- - 35 7 

Teeth, circular, shape, roots of, - - - - - 41 20 

Teeth, triangular, .----_- 35 8 

Teeth, swedgod. shape of, - - - - - - 20 24 

Tearing at bottom, ------- 30 24 

Temper, rule for, - - - - - - - -10 5 

Tools, straight edge, ------- 9 2 

Tools, gauging set, -------- 21 26 

Tools, gauging swedged set, ----- 21 27 

Tools, sizing teeth, - 28 10 

Tools, shaping circular teeth, - - - - - 30 11 



THE SAWYER^S COMPA^'ION, 



PART I. CnoosixG or Quality. 

Section 1. soundness of teeth. — In selecting 
a saw, first examine tlie teeth, and reject all such 
as have any signs of splitting. These will be 
generally indicated by slight lines or seams along 
their tops and bottoms, which for this reason are 
worthless. 

Sec. 2. A true plate. — It must be of an equal 
thickness throughout, and level on each side. If 
however, it be thinner on the back, and it taper 
truly, it will work with less set. Many saws are 
concave or hollowing one half their length, and 
the other half convex or roi\nding on the same 
side ; others are concave their whole length on 
one side, and convex the other — a saw having 
these defects, cannot work as well as one that 
is true. To discover these defects ap})ly a straight 
edge. 

(9) 



10 THE sawyer's companion. 

Sec. 3. gauge. — There is a gauge, below whicli 
all tliat is saved in timber, is lost in time, in 
consequence of a want of strength in the saw to 
perform what is required of it — and above which 
is a loss of timber in saw dust. The rule is — a 
gauge that will endure to give a firm cut. I have 
found that a saw of about 5-32 to 3-16 of an 
inch in thickness, or a gauge of No. 9, has 
sufficient strength to answer the demands of the 
rule ; requiring only 1-32 of an inch set on each 
side, making about |- of an inch kerf, of which 
lumbermen seldom complain as wasteful ; but less 
set will answer with a true plate. 

Sec. 4. winding. — To ascertain this, take a 
couple of trying sticks (t. t. Fig. 1.) of equal 
width and with parallel edges, and between one 
and two feet in length, and lay one on each end 
of the saw, if their edges coincide throughout, 
that is right so far; then letting one remain, 
remove the other to different positions, and if 
their edges coincide at these different positions, of 
course it is true in this particular. 

Sec. 5. good temper. — To ascertain this, stand 
the saw on the end and strike it with something; 
if it give out a dull heavy sound, it is too soft ; if a 
high sharp sound, it indicates hardness. Again 
with the left hand hold of the top, let it lean the 
length of the arm — then press it somewhat side- 
wise witli the other hand ; if it spring back again 



THE SAWYEKS COMPAXION, 



11 



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12 THE sawyse's companion. 

straigTit, as a good hand saw would under similar 
circumstances, it is a sign of good temper. Then 
with a light hammer try the upper, middle, and 
lower tooth, by endeavouring to turn down their 
edges a very little ; if these edges crumble off or 
break easily, the saw is too hard, or what is worse 
it is rotten ; if they bend partly down before 
breaking, and do not fly like glass but tear off, it 
is very likely to be a good saw. But if these 
edges bend down somewhat as lead would with- 
out scarcely any fracture, the saw is too soft. 
Generally speaking, however, if a saw spring back 
again straight after having been pressed smartly 
sidewise, it is a sufficient test of firmness and good 
temper. 

Sec. 6. width. — A saw of 14 inches in width 
is cheaper in the end than two seven inch saws, 
even if it cost as much as the other two. The 
reason is this: the wide one is stronger, and 
therefore may be thinner ; besides after it is worn 
out, you have only one back to throw away instead 
of two. It is therefore cheaper by the first cost of 
one of the worn ou.t saws, besides effecting a saving 
of timber and power. 

Sec. 7. number op teeth. — A general rule is 
this — the finer the teeth the firmer the cut ; there- 
fore a thin saw with fine teeth, will work as well 
as a thick saw with coarse teeth ; and of two saws 
of equal dimensions and quality, the one with fine 



13 

teeth, and the other with coarse ; the one having 
fine teeth will make smoother lumber, bear heavier 
feed, and will be less troublesome to keep in 
order. It is true that it will require more filing 
at any one time, but then the gain in quality and 
quantity will more than offset that loss. From one 
inch to one and one quarter inches, is about 
the right distance between the points of the teeth, 
in a gauge of No. 9 ; a less gauge would require a 
less distance. 



PART II. Using. 

Sec. 8. hanging saws. — A gate, frame, or sash 
saw requires four lug pins, half round and taper- 
ing ; two at the top of the saw, and two at the 
bottom — the upper and lower front holes should 
be made in line with the roots of the teeth {n. n. 
Fig. 1. page 11). The back holes should be made 
within one and a half or two inches from the 
back of the saw, and another one midway between 
these — making six holes in all ; the middle holes 
being used after the saw is partly worn. 

Sec. 9. stirrups. — Each stirrup should be fur- 
nished with four set screws, two in eacli jaw, 



14 THE sawyer's companion. 

for tlie purpose of ranging and plumbing the 
saw. Afterwards drive wedges if deemed neces- 
sary. 

Sec. 10. RAKE. — It is necessary tliat the saw 
should lean forward of a vertical line (v. Fig. 1, 
page 11), so as to give room for the log to move 
up to it when rising. This leaning of the saw is 
called Rahe or Overhang. 

Sec. 11. RAKE FOR ONE HAND FEED. — The rake 
must equal the greatest desired feed ; which may 
be found by the following rule : 

KuLE 1. First set your crank up — then with 
your square or rule standing on the rabbet of the 
headblock, measure a distance up the saw equal to 
the stroke of your crank (which is always double 
its length), then hang a plumb and line (v. Fig. 1. 
page 11) from the edge of a tooth nearest to that 
distance, and bring that point of the saw forward, 
u.ntil the distance between the line and a bottom 
tooth, corresponding with the rabbet in height, 
or nearly so, equals your greatest desired feed ; as 
at h. V. Fig. 1. page 11. 

For EXAMPLE. — Suppose the length of your 
crank to be 12 inches ; the stroke would be double 
that, which is 24 inches, and the greatest feed you 
desire, to be J an inch ; then with your line hang- 
ing at the distance of 24 inches from the rabbet, 
bring the saw forward until the distance between 
it and the lower tooth, corresponding with the rab- 



THE sawyer's companion. 15 

bet, equals a J inch. Then fasten tlie saw in that 
position. 

Sec. 12. unnecessary teeth. — It is desirable 
to cut out all the teeth below the rabbet ; because 
it is a waste of time and files to dress them ; and 
generally the upper two may be cut out to advan- 
tage, unless your logs run large. 

Sec. 13. for double hand feed, or for 
ROTARY feed. — Double hand feed means, when 
both hands push the ragwheel forward alternately. 
Kotary feed means, when the rag or feeding wheel 
has a continuous motion. 

Sec. 14. rake for double hand, or rotary 
feed. — The rake must equal one half of the 
greatest desired feed ; which must be ascertained 
byRulel, under Sec. 11; with this difference only, 
the distance between the plumb line and the lower 
tooth, is only one half of what that rule directs; 
because the log advances as much when the saw 
descends as when it rises. 

Sec. 15. churning the saw through. — When 
the diameter of the log is 5 or 6 inches or more, 
greater than the stroke of your crank or saw, 
sometimes it will clog with dust, it becomes 
necessary to churn the saw through ; or in other 
words, let it make 3 or 4 cuts, and then let it strike 
as often without cutting, that will enable it to 
clear itself of dust, or it will clear itself, by feed- 
ing it very lightly. 



16 THE sawyer's companion. 

Sec. 16. more rake. — But if the averacre cliam- 

o 

eter of logs be much, greater tlian your stroke ; 
more rake must be given, than the rules require ; 
so tkat it may clear itself. But with this extra 
rake a loss is sustained ; as the saw would de- 
scend through a part of its stroke before it would 
begin to cut. 

For example. — ^Your stroke of crank is 24 
inches. The rake is a J inch, and you are obliged 
to give it J of an inch more extra, making j of 
an inch in all. Now when the saw is up, the log 
has moved towards it a J inch, and is still J of an 
inch from it. Now in its descent it must pass 
one third of its stroke downward before it begins 
to cut ; which is eight inches, making a loss of one 
third of the motion. It is a much better way to 
use a longer crank. 

Sec. 17. jointing. — The tooth edge of a long 
saw should never be left crowning ; as in that 
case it would be liable to run out of course. If 
one sixteenth of an inch hollowing the better, but 
not more than that. To insure perfection in 
jointing, use a rule made after the following 
dimensions : 

Take a piece of hard wood board three fourths 
of an inch thick, four inches wide, and nearly 
equal in length to the distance between the stir- 
rups. Then gauge J of an inch each way from one 
corner, and dress it off to those lines ; next, attach 



THE SAWYERS COMPANION. 



to the side of this piece, opposite tlie bevel and 
near each end, a U, with two wood screws, taking 
care that the open end be placed opposite the 



bevel also ; in the middle of 
the other side put a thumb 
screw, for the purpose of 
holding the rule tightly 
against the saw, in the prop- 
er position. This U, on the 
inside, is in length equal to 
the width of the body of the 
rule, and each side one half 
inch thick, and one inch 
wide, with the sides one 
inch apart — see the annexed 
Figures ; in which Fig. 3, re- 
presents the body of the 
rule, a, is the beveled cor- 
ner, i, Z/, are the Us, and c, c, 
the thumb screws. Fig. 4, 
is an end view with the rule 
attached to the saw, d, ready 
for the jointer. 

Jointer. — To make a 
jointer; take a piece of 
board one inch thick — four 
inches wide, and of the 
length of your file, shank 
and all ; sec d, Fig. 6, page 18, 

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18 



THE sawyer's companion. 



and one piece one incli and five eiglitlis wider 
til an the file, and one inch thick, and of the same 

length of the other piece, 



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as, Fig. 7, at h ; next bed 
the file into one side of 
5, level with its surface, 
and flush with one of 
its edges. Then take 
another piece one inch 
square, of the same 
length, and fasten it on 
the edge ofh, and against 
the edge of the file, with 
three wood screws to 
hold the file in place, 
-' as at c, Fig^. 7. Then 



fasten &, Fig. 7, with the side opposite to c on the 
edge of Fig. 6, with three screws ; taking care that 
the surface of the file stands at a right angle 
to the surface d, of Fig. 6, and it is ready for 
use. . Fig. 8, is an end view showing the rule ^, 
attached to the saw and with the jointer in 
position ready to be used. Having previously 
attached the rule to the saw, in such a position 
as you desire, place the surface cZ, Fig. 6, on the 
surface of the rule, and the file will come in front 
of the tooth edge; when a few strokes up and down 
will joint it straight. A good sawyer will joint 
once every twenty -four hours. 



THE sawyer's companion. 19 

Observation.— The jointer will naturally wear 
the edge of the rule hollowing, and thus the teeth 
will bo dressed hollowing also, which was just be- 
fore mentioned as being desirable. 

The jointer may be used without the rule, 
by substituting a piece of board in the place of 
the rule. 

Sec. 18. gumming. — There are two modes of 
gumming. The first with a file, and the second 
with a machine. 

Sec. 19. GUMMING WITH A FILE is Considered 
preferable, because it does not stretch the edge of 
the saw, and it should be done every twenty-four 
hours. It requires only three or four strokes more 
back with a file top and bottom, than is required 
in the middle, to keep it straight. 

Sec. 20. if gumming with a machine be pre- 
ferred, get one that is capable of gumming every 
alternate tooth from opposite sides; and always 
gum back an eighth of an inch afterwards with a 
file ; as gumming with a machine is apt to stretch 
the edge, and gumming from one side only bends 
the saw one way, and bending it back again 
stretches it. But if your saw should have a loose 
or stretched edge after gumming with a machine, 
place it upon a smooth and true faced anvil and 
then with a light hammer give it an equal number 
of strokes on each side along its middle, this 
process will stretch the middle and tighten the 
edges. 



20 THE sawyer's companion. 

Sec. 21. setting. — There are three ways of set- 
ing saw teeth, each of which is more or less in use 
among sawyers. 

Sec. 22. bent set. — The first and most com- 
mon way is to bend the teeth a little, back of their 
edges, outward enongh to allow the saw a free 
passage through its kerf, without touching its 
sides {a. a. Fig. 2, page 11). 

Sec. 23. bent set. No. 2. — -The second mode 
requires the tool or saw set, to take hold of the 
tooth about one third of its length back, and at 
the same time its end is bent outward ; turn the 
bottom outward and upward also. The advocates 
of this mode claim that it holds set better, and 
cuts smoother than the first, because the tooth is 
wide where it is bent, and because it has a better 
side edge, being somewhat acute, and all saws hav- 
ing their teeth filed beveling on their bottoms 
possess the latter advantage. 

Sec. 24. swedged set. — A third mode requires 
the teeth to be left without bent set, and to spread 
their edges wide enough for the set, with a tool 
called a swedge, which may be made thus, (see Fig. 
13, page 22,) being about one half of an inch thick 
and one inch wide, and five or six inches long, 
and with a recess in one end, Y shaped. It may 
be made of either one or two pieces, but in the 
latter case, it must be held together by a gripe or 
some kindred device. 



TUE sawyer's companion. 21 

But if made of one piece, the recess is mostly 
made with a three cornered fde, and is farther 
finished with a knife-edged fde, and fully so by a 
hard and well directed blow on a properly fitted 
cold chisel. 

To use this tool, place its open end on the edge 
of the tooth, when a few strokes with a light ham- 
mer will spread it enough ; giving the ends of the 
tooth somewhat the shape of a lish's tail as at c. 
c. Fig. 2, page 11. The edge must be wider than 
the whole set, and the surplus dressed off with the 
file gauge. 

Sec. 25. when a saw is too hard to receive bent 
set, it may be s wedged in, if the steel be good. 

Sec. 26. gauging set. — In bent set the teeth 
are bent outward to a gauge or cross, which is 
made of some material and in such a way that it 
cannot spring; thus (Fig. 11, page 22) the screws 
1, 2, 3, are placed on the side of the saw, back of the 
teeth, and the screw 4, is turned back of the plane 
of the other three screws; say 1-32 of an inch, or 
more or less, to correspond with the set desired as 
at Fig. 12, which is an edge view. 

Sec. 27. swedged set. — For swedged set, a file 
gauge is best ; as it leaves the outer side of the 
teeth both smooth and true. 

Sec. 28. file gauge. — To make a file gauge; 
take one piece of board one inch thick, and four 
inches wide, and of the length of your file, shank 



22 



THE sawyer's companion. 



and all, as at a, Fig. 10, into the side of wliicli, bed 
tlie file as mucli below its surface, as the set you 
require, with one of its edges flush with the edge 
of the board. Then take another piece 5, 
three-fourths of an inch thick, and one inch 
and a half wide, and of the length of the 
other piece, and fasten it upon the edge of it, 
and against the edge of the file, to hold it in 



^;^9 



a 



£-j-iQ position, as 

seen in Fig. 

10. Fig. 9, is 

an end view of 

the file gauge 

in position 

on the saw 

ready for use. 

To use this 

tool, apply it 

to the side of 

the saw with 

the file on 

/gf.i3 that part of 

the teeth set 

out, when a 

few strokes 

will even the set. This tool will be found useful 

in correcting bent set, also, either in circular or 

long saws. 

Sec. 29. width of edge. — The outer corners of 





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THE sawyer's companion. 23 

the tcctli naturally wear off faster tlian the other 
parts, but m sawing hard wood they wear very 
fast, causing them to become crowning, so that tlie 
distance across their crown is greater than the 
width of its cut, (see e. e. page 11, Fig. 2). In this 
case good filing and setting avail nothing; this 
shows the importance of keeping their edges 
s wedged out fully. This defect is the grand rea- 
son why sawyers fail so often in making their 
saw work easily and strongly, but especially so in 
hard wood — for then they always require double 
the filing even if the teeth were never in so good 
shape. 



PART III. On Filing. 

Sec. 1. THERE are two general modes of filing, 
called, square filing^ and hevel filing^ each of 
which have their advantages, and disadvantages. 

Sec. 2. square filing teaches us to carry 
the file at a right angle to the side of the saw, or 
in other words, level, or square across, which 
makes it cut the timber square across the grain or 
at a right angle; the lines at a, and m. Fig. 2. page 
11, show the direction of the file. 



24 THE sawyer's companion. 

Sec. 3. filing instead of cutting. — As saws 
are commonly fitted, they are files on a large 
scale, scraping, or breaking, or filing out tlie 
dust, instead of cutting it out, as a. a. Fig. 1, 
page 11. 

Sec. 4. avoiding this defect. — Many ways 
liave been devised for avoiding this scraping pro- 
cess, some of which have been patented, and all 
of them are more or less useful. Assuming what 
is true in this theory, that if the edge of the tooth 
can be so dressed as to make it cut instead 
of scrape^ the defect is overcome; accordingly 
teeth have been filed more or less hooking, 
varying, from one degree to forty-five, as at e. i. 
m. and n. Fig. 1, page 11. With the latter angle, 
if the original shape of the point of the tooth be 
preserved, the top, or front of it will assume 
almost, if not quite, a vertical position, and especi- 
ally so if the rake be taken into account; thus 
presenting the edges of the tooth to the grain of 
the wood in the desired or cutting position, as 
seen at m. m. Fig. 1, page 11. 

Sec. 5. difficulties. — But there are difficul- 
ties attending a saw, filed at any of these angles. 
The first of which is its inclination to draw for- 
ward into the log in its descent, imparting to it a 
vibratory or trembling cut, which renders its 
action uncertain and laborious. 

Sec. 6. to overcome this difficulty a pat- 



TIIK SAWVEll's COMPANION. 25 

ent has been obtained fur filing the top or front 
of every tootli to correspond with a vertical line, 
as at m. m. iu Fig. 1, page 11, resembling a chisel 
edge with tlie face outward. But as soon as the 
edge is a little worn, it will make the saw frame 
labor on its slides. 

Sec. 7. another patent has been obtained for 
a heel or guide on the front of the tooth, and above 
its edge ; as at n. n. Fig. 1 ; which avoids the first 
difficulty, and the defect in Sec. 6th, almost if not 
entirely. These heels or guides are dressed in 
line, the edge of the tooth projecting a little be- 
yond its guide ; this prevents its hauling into the 
log, and holds an edge longer. 

Sec. 8. second difficulty is this ; when a 
saw, dressed like either of those described in Sec. 
6 and 7, strikes a knot which runs into a log 
horizontally, its action is like splitting, more than 
cutting ; but one fourth of this splitting process 
may be overcome by filing every fifth pair of 
teeth fleam-pointed; as at h. h. Fig. 1, page 11; 
where both the fleams are shown on the same side. 

Sec. 9. the third difficulty is this ; a saw 
or any other tool dulls much faster when cutting 
square across the grain, than it does when cutting 
at a beveled angle, as every one who ever cut a 
riding whip knows; notwithstanding a tool cut- 
ting at a bevel of forty -five degrees passes over a 
surface, as much greater as the diagonal of a square 



2^ THE sawyer's companion. 

is greater tlian its side, wliicli is about as 10 to 7. 
We therefore resort to Bevel Filing to overcome 
the difficulties attending square filing. 

Sec. 10. OF bevel filing. — There are three 
modes, each of which may be varied to suit the 
mind of the sawyer. 

Sec. 11. FIRST MODE requires both the top 
and bottom of the teeth to be filed beveling, and 
of the same bevel, or angle, making a fleam point 
or edge which cuts the grain of the timber, at two 
bevel angles, a horizontal and vertical, which is 
the easiest way of cutting; the cross lines at o, 
Fig. 2, page 11, represent the direction of the 
file. 

Sec. 12. second mode requires that the bot- 
tom be filed at a right angle ; as in square filing 
and the top beveling. This form cuts at one 
horizontal bevel angle, and cuts only half as easy 
as the first mode, and cuts as easy again as square 
filing, see cross lines at 5. s. Fig. 2, page 11. 

Sec. 13. third mode requires that the top 
be filed square, and the bottom beveling, which 
also cuts at two angles, as in the first; and is 
preferable to it, because it presents a better point, 
and is also as much better than the second as two 
angles are than one. Care, however, should be 
taken not to file too beveling, as in that case, if feed 
be crowded, the set of the teeth will spring wider as 
the saw descends, making your boards rough at 



THE SAWYERS COMrAXIOX. 27 

the bottom while the top is smooth. The angle 
should be such as will enable the saw to retain its 
set, which is about 25° or 30°. It does not re- 
quire as much skill to file after this mode as the 
first and a little more than the second; see cross 
lines at r. r. Fig. 2, page 11. It may be said, finally, 
in reference to the best mode of filing for all kinds 
of timber, that for rough or knotty timber saw 
teeth should be filed but a verij little heveling ; but 
for fair timber it is better to file enough beveling 
to hold set good, as that secures the double advan- 
tage of holding set and cutting easily. 

Sec. 14. hammering.— In the first and tliird 
modes of bevel filing, hammering or turning down 
the edges of the teeth, (see o. o. o. o. Fig. 1, page 
11,) is indispensable. In the second mode as well 
as in ordinary square filing, hammering will save 
near a quarter of the power. In the first and 
third modes of bevel filing, the splitting process 
in cutting knots is compounded with cutting (Sec. 
8th, part 3 ) by hammering, which may be further 
overcome, by filing every fifth pair of teeth fleam- 
pointed ; see Fig. l^h.h. page 11. 

Sec. 15. if the edges that were turned down do 
not wear entirely off before filing, take a framing 
chisel or an equivalent, and with the handle in the 
left hand and placing the face of it about one 
or two inches from the cutting end, on the bottom 
of the tooth and on this edge, and holding it 



28 THE sawyer's companion. 

level and crosswise, strike it upward with a ham- 
mer until it is leveled np. 

Sec. 16. hammering hardens and refines the 
steel, besides preserving the original width of 
edge; it will be necessary to use the file gauge 
to even the teeth which were spread by this 
process. 

Sec. 17. a stretched edge. — After a saw 
stands the foregoing tests, it may not work well, 
from two causes : either on account of a stretched 
edge which was done when its teeth were cut, or 
from a weak spot caused by bad treatment in 
making. The first may be overcome by gumming 
back an eighth of an inch at the first filing, and 
this ought to be done with every new saw, as a 
matter of precaution. The second may be over- 
come entirely by not using it, or hammering it 
(see Sec. 20, part 2); for a poor saw is dear at any 
price, and a good one cheap at any price. 

Sec. 18. to allow a saw to get hollowing, 
from a fourth to a half inch, is generally eqiial to a 
breakdown, and a loss of from one eighth to one 
fourth of the work it would do when in good 
order. 

Sec. 19. saw teeth should be equal in size, and 
depth, or the longer will spring inward or outward 
more than ther shorter, according with the mode 
of filing. If beveled on the bottom, outward, if 
square, iuAvard ; they should be of the same angle 



THE sawyek'.s compaxiox. 29 

or li()(.)k on tlio bottom. To secure this result, 
make a bevel, with the stock erjiial in length to 
two or three spaces of teeth, and with a tongue, 
having the shape and depth required for the tooth. 
Then lay out, and file to it. Or make the tongue 
of the shape of the space between them which is 
more convenient, (1^'ig. 5. page 17.) 

Sec. 20. defects. — A saw of the proper gauge 
or thickness, may give a trembling cut, either from 
liaving too coarse Jeeth^ or uniform vneven set. If 
set be all on one side, or nearly so, it can be made 
to run straight, by filing to suit that set. The side 
without set should be filed beveling on the bot- 
tom, while the other should be square, and their 
tops must in this case, and all cases, be filed so 
that their edges will present the same breast or 
horizontal angle. A saw having too coarse teeth 
and with the same feed, w^ill not work as well, nor 
as easily, as one with teeth to suit the thickness 
of the plate. Because in the first case, each tooth 
has more to do than its strength will bear, and if 
urged with feed it w^ill tremble, and tear out its 
work, making rough lumber; and in both cases, a 
saw Avith the best temper, and perfect in every 
other respect, w411 not work with but little 
strength; with uniform uneven set, the centre 
of pressure is on one side of the centre of the 
plate, and therefore cannot work with its whole 
strength. 

3* 



30 THE sawyer's companion. 

Sec. 21. sometimes a saw, after starting into a 
log plumb, and straight, will come out at tlie 
other end winding, or out of plumb. If it lean to- 
ward the log, it is because there is more set in the 
top on that side, or that the teeth are longer on that 
side at the top, or that they are filed more bevel- 
ing on that side at the same place, or it must be 
out of range at that place. If it lean from the log, 
the reverse is true. 

Sec. 22. again, a saw may run straight with 
lio-ht feed, when with common it would sheer a 
little, or, in other words, saw in a curve. This may 
be caused by teeth being longer on the outer side 
of the curve, or by more set on that side, or by 
being filed more beveling or more hooking on the 
same side. 

Sec. 23. zigzag. — The course of a saw may be 
zigzag, or cut in short curves. This may be 
caused by unequal or zigzag set, or unequal filing; 
and if the board be ridged, there is too much set 
in the saw. 

Sec. 21:. tearing out at the bottom may be 
caused either by having too coarse teeth, or by the 
saw being too hollowing, or by too much rake or 
overhang. In this latter case it will make a pound- 
ing or jerking noise in its descent. 

Sec. 25. carriage out of line. — If the saw be 
in good order, and still saw curving, examine your 
carriage and its ways. 



THE sawyer's companion. 31 

Sec. 26. dishing. — If your siiw make di.sliing 
or liollowing boards, it is because its tcctli are 
filed more beveling on the side toward the hollow 
either on their tops or bottoms, providing, how- 
ever, that the set is even, and teeth of an equal 
length ; and it may be caused by the teeth being 
filed more hooking on that side than the other. 

Sec. 27. if your saw have equal set, and its 
teeth equal in length, and in range, and does not 
come out in line, it is either crowning on its tooth 
edge, or it is badly filed. In the latter case, it is 
much better to alter the filing on that side 
towards which it runs, than it is to alter the set ; 
because altering set changes the centre of pressure 
to one side of the centre of your saw plate, thus 
reducing its strength. In the former case, it requires 
jointing straight. 

Sec. 28. strained too much on the back. — 
When your saw is strained more at its back than 
its front, it "will run out of course. This is the 
reason why the front lug pins in a mulay saw 
should be nearly in line with the roots of its teeth ; 
and any saw with its back strained more than its 
edge will not work well, nor scarcely at all, 
however well it may be fitted in every other 
respect. 



32 THE sawyer's companion. 

OF CIECULAR SAWS. 



PAKT ly. 

Sec. 1. AS CIRCULAR SAWS DIFFER in action and 
circumstances from long saws, so they require 
somewhat different treatment in some respects. 
Though most of the rules applicable to long saws, 
are also applicable to them, as well as the tools. 




THE sawyer's companion. 33 

Sec. 2. gauge. — The gauge depends upon tlieir 
quality of steel, their number of teeth, and their 
diameter. The larger their diameter, the thieker 
they must be in order to work with firmness. 
Good temper and finer teeth may reduce the gauge 
somewhat. 

Sec. 3. jointing. — The extremities or edges of 
the teeth must be kept at an equal distance from 
their centre of motion, which in all Avell made 
arbors is the centre of the arbor. 

Sec. 4. to make a jointer. — Take one piece 
of hard wood board, (c/. Fig. 16,) one and one 
fourth of an inch thick, and three inches longer 
than the radius or half diameter of your saw, make 
one end two inches wider than the diameter of its 
collar; then cut a gap, a, out of this end, of suffi- 
cient size to allow it to sit astride of this collar, and 
three inches below its centre. Then make a slot 
or mortise, c, through the other end, live inches or 
more or less in length, according with the size of 
the saw, and a half inch wide. Then dress this slot 
end down to one inch in thickness, and in length 
to three fourths of an inch below the lower end 
of the slT)t. Then take another piece of board, (a, 
Fig. 17,) one inch wider than your file, and one 
inch thick, and as long as the file and shank. 
Then bed your file into one side of it flusli with 
one of its edges, (taking care that the file, when 
attached to this shank piece, stands at a right angle 



34 



THE SxVWYERS COMPANIOX. 



with it,) and then take another piece, (/?, Fig. 17,) 
of the same length and one and a half inch wide, 
and one half inch thick, and fasten it with four 
wood screws on the edge of the other piece, and 
against the edge of the file, to hold it in position. 
Then cut out of a, a gap, c, full equal to the width 
of the slot end of the shank piece. Then place i*t 
transversely across this slot end on the side reduced, 
and fasten it with a thumb screw in a position to 
suit the size of saw. Fig:. 15, is an edcye view of the 



iljcis 




TIIK SAWVEU'S CUMPAXIOX. Tif) 

same tool in position on the saw. To use tliis tool, 
place the open end astride the collar, and bring 
the file down to the shortest tooth, or to the edge 
of the one which is at the least distance from the 
centre of the saw, and screw it fast 5 then pressing 
it down on the collar, and against the side of the 
saw, move the file forward until the edges of the 
teeth are at the same distance from the saw 
centre. 

Sec. 5. filing circular saws. — There is but 
little objection to filing them square, because the 
portion of timber cut at a right angle is so small, 
that but little loss is sustained in dulling fast, or 
cutting harder on that account, providing the teeth 
are filed hooking enough. 

Sec. 6. bevel filing. — The chief advantage in 
filing beveling, on the bottom of the teeth, arises 
from their holding set better. 

Sec. 7. shape of teeth. — Teeth with circular 
tops, (a, a. Fig. 14,) present their edges to the tim- 
ber in a cutting position, thus avoiding the scrap- 
ing process attending triangular teeth, (cZ, d, cZ,) but 
do it more perfectly, when their tops, as at a, a, 
near their edges, nearly coincide with their line 
of motion {h^ same Fig.), thus avoiding the neces- 
sity of hammering. //, i, are square topped 
teiitli : one with a curved root, and the other with 
an angular. The curved root is best. 

Sec. 8. triangular teeth. — But it is necessary 



36 THE sawyer's companion. 

to hammer triangular teetli to make tliem cut easily 
and to give tliem tlie same advantage of the circu- 
lar teeth. 

Sec. 9. but there is danger in dressing cir- 
cular teeth, or in hammering triangular ones, of 
bringing their edges within their line of motion, 
as at c, c, Fig. 14. 

Sec. 10. to discover this defect, apply a 
straight edge as at/. 

Sec. 11. THE PROPER HOOK OR ANGLE, for the 

bottom of the teeth in. a circular saw, is the 
diagonal of a square, or, which is the same thing, 
an angle of forty -five degrees. To ascertain this, 
draw a line from the centre of the saw to the edge 
of a tooth. From this edge, measure the depth 
of the tooth desired toward the centre, and let 
that distance or depth form one side of a square. 
Then draw a line from corner to corner, and this is 
the desired angle, (Fig. 14, at g) 

To secure this angle easily, make a bevel with 
the stock equal in length to one and a half spaces 
between the edges of the teeth, and with a tongue 
set in the middle, and equal in length to the depth 
of tooth, then set it at that angle ; then with a 
slate pencil or lead mark it out. The top of the 
tooth may be dressed of the shape desired, or the 
depth may be marked by striking a circle with a 
pencil at their roots. This bevel differs from Fig. 
10, page 22, only in the shape of its tongue. 



THE SAWYEIl'S COMPANION. 87 

Sec. 12. for cross cutting. — Teeth must bo 
filed fleam-pointed, with the exception of every 
fifth pair, which shouhl be filed square for the pur- 
pose of taking out the core or chip left by their 
"ILLUSTRIOUS PREDECESSORS," and for cutting 
knots ; see b, h, Fig. 1, page 11. 

Sec 13. the reason of this is, that the tcctli 
being fleam-pointed, they cut the chip wedging 
of necessit}^, and therefore crowd it from them 
instead of drawing it toward them, as is the case 
with long saws ; and for this reason cross cutting 
circulars do not require a high motion in order 
to make them work the fastest. But filing a part 
of the teeth square as in Sec. 12, will allow an in- 
crease of motion ; under other circumstances its 
edge should move about seventy-five feet per 
second, and that of long cutting circulars should 
be three times that number of feet per second. 

Sec. 14. defects. — The greatest difiiculty attend- 
ing the use of circular saws, is their tendency to 
heat when out of order, causing them to waver or 
stafifjer. This may be caused by badly constructed 
macliincry, as well as bad dressing; and, first, when 
the teeth arc more hookino^ on one side than 
the other, the hooking teeth cut easier, and the 
others dull faster, and consequently tend to heat 
that side. 

2. Crowding feed on a dull saw, will make it 
heat and stagger. 



38 THE SAWYETJ'S COMPAXTOX. 

3. If your saw be out of round, tlie tcetli 
farthest from the centre must do the most work, 
and will therefore heat sooner than if the labor 
were equally divided. 

4. Unequal or zigzag set, will cause it to 
heat. 

5. Or anything that drives it out of course, will 
cause it to heat more or less, by making the plate 
rub against the log; besides the arbor is crowded 
endwise ao^ainst its end or its shoulder, thus heat- 
ing it and causing the centre of the saw to expand 
also. 

6. When the top of the teeth, just back of their 
edges, project beyond their line of motion, as at c, 
c, Fig. 14, page 32, or, which is the same thing, 
strike the timber before their edges, this will cause 
it to heat in spite of all the filing and setting in 
the world. Apply a straight edge to ascertain this 
as at/. Fig. 14, page 32. 

7. Another cause is, that the saw may not be in 
line with the carriage, or the saw may be in a cor- 
rect position, and the carriage not run in line with 
the saw. 

8. To tight a belt or band will cause the arbor 
to heat, which of course extends to the saw. 

9. Short belts are apt to run tightly from the 
manner in which they are stressed, and if not 
stressed at all they are worse still. This may 
be remedied by giving length of belt enough 



THE sawyer's companion. 39 

to allow it to wrap the saw pulley nearly all 
around, and it can be made to work in that posi- 
tion, by placing the stress pulley as near the 
saw pulley as possible, which wrapping the 
pulley more, requires less stressing, and therefore 
a looser belt. 

10. Poor brasses, or brasses not suited to tlie 
temper of the arbor, will cause it to heat. 

11. If your saw arbor is not level, it crowds 
endwise when cutting, producing the same effect. 

12. If your arbor is Uvel^ and at a right angle 
to the motion of your carriage, and the next shaft 
is not in line with it, or its centre parallel every 
way, it will throw the arbor either one way or the 
other, which will cause it to heat. 

13. If your arbor crowds against its shoulders, 
it will heat, there must therefore be a little free- 
dom or play, say 1-16 or \ of an inch alto- 
gether. 

Sec. 15. scratching. — If your saw run out of 
course, and from the log, it will scratch on its re- 
turn. 

Sec. 16. if your saw run in course, and scratch 
on its return, it is because that either its arbor is 
not level, or the next shaft draws it endwise from 
the log when working ; or from a warped edge, 
which when cutting, works truly or nearly so, but 
as soon as free assumes its warping or staggering 
edge, caused by previous heating, and therefore 
cannot work triilv. 



40 THE sawyer's COMPANION". 

Or if the carriage is not parallel with the plane 
of the saw, the saw will crowd its arbor endwise, 
toward the side, its arbor is farthest from the tail 
block, or stock; on its return, it will assume its 
original position and scratch. Again, if it scratch 
at either end, and not in the middle, the carriage 
or blocks are out 'of order. If it scratch when 
cutting forward, it is because a tooth has more 
set than its fellows. 

Sec. 17. whex a circular saw is in perfect 
order, and its machinery all right, it may not work 
up to its capacity, in consequence of having too 
high a motion. In this case its power is consumed 
by friction. 

Sec. 18. skill. — The only remaining dimculty 
is a want of skill to file perfectly. If this be not 
supplied by experience, it must be done by 
machinery. 

When there are many saws to file, as in a 
gang mill, a power filer is advisable and econ- 
omical. 

But for single saws, where there is a lack of 
skill, a hand filer is advisable, or some device 
which Avill direct the motion of the file. Tliere 
are a number of good hand filers, but I have found 
that any filer that must be attached to tlie saw 
with the screw or wedge, is soon laid aside by 
sawyers in consequence of its apparent unneces- 
sary consumption of time; besides, it is humiliat- 



THE SAWYEli's COMrANION. 41 

ing to acknoAvlcdge a want of skill by their 
use, altliougli tliat would teacli tlicm bow to file 
very fast. I am of the o}) in ion, tliat a common 
sawyer, wlio saws by tlie thousand, would be vastly 
a gainer by using one. The author is the inventor 
of four different filers, the last of Avhich is the 
most simple of all, being held in the hand witli full 
command of the file, and in such a way that in 
two or three weeks' use, it will confirm the sawyer 
in the habit of carrying his file correctly, and is 
the readiest way to learn, being a correct teacher, 
combining its instructions with the effort to file. 
On the receipt of one dollar, I will send one by ex- 
press, or send a drawing by which one can be made 
cheaper than the express charges would be ; with 
this, a saw may be filed a hundred times in suc- 
cession, so that it will not vary from a true line 
half the thickness of the saw, so far as filing is 
concerned. 

Sec. 19. files. — The best files with which I am 
acquainted, are the douhle-cut-sinrjle files. They 
make a fine smooth edge and last well. 

Sec. 20. circular saw teeth should be filed 

concave at their roots with a half round file, and 

it should be combined with a convex line which 

forms the top of the next one, for the purpose of 

cleaning itself of dust easily and strengthening 

the tooth at its base, and with the convex top so 

that its edge will be presented to the timber in a 

cuttin;; position, as seen at Fig. 1-1, page 32. 
1 * 



42 THE sawyer's companion. 

Sec. 21. if any saw cut ridged or rough^ it is 
because it has more set than its strength will 
allow, or too coarse teeth which, when crowded 
with feed, causes each tooth to do more than it can 
bear, and therefore has a tremulous motion caused 
by its springing to obey its mode of filing. A 
circular may cut ridged in consequence of a 
warped edge. 

Sec. 22. ranging saw. — Hang your saw in the 
desired position. Then move the carriage forward 
until the tail block strikes its edge ; mark that spot, 
and stick an awl there ; then run the carriage back 
ten or twelve feet, attaching the end of a line to 
the awl. Then carry the line forAvard and back 
of the saw, bringing it at the same time against 
the side of the saw ; if the line touch back and front 
when stretched it must be right. 

Sec. 23. a cikcular saw requires more power 
to make a cut through a log of a given diameter than 
a long saw does with equal feed and quality of tim- 
ber. In a loo^ of two feet in diameter, the lens^th or 

O JO 

depth of kerf of a long saw would be only two feet, 
while it would require a circular saw to be at 
least four feet six inches in diameter to cut a 
board of the same width. The most of the circular 
in cutting contact at once is one fourth of its cir- 
cumference, mzm^s that proportional part belong- 
ing to its collar, which is 3.5343 feet minus .8927 
feet, equal to 3.1416 feet, the length of the circular 



THE SAW VERS COMI'AMOX. 43 

kerf; and 3.141G foot viimis 2 foot, equal to 1.1 U6 
feet, the dill'orciicc between the two korfs. Now 
if the long saw had equal leverage, and a continu- 
ous motion, it would require equal power. But 
the leverage of this circular is two feet throe 
inches, and that of the long saw is ordinarily one 
foot ; consequently the former requires more tlian 
double the power. Again, the latter cuts only 
half of the time, while the former cuts all the time, 
and therefore requires still more power. If you 
file your long saw beveling, the circular has no 
advantage in cutting easier, otherwise it would 
have this advantage. The circular requires at 
least double power. 

Sec. 2-1:. the author is tlie inventor of ?i filer 
for circular saws also, which is very simple in its 
construction, with which any angle, square or bev- 
eling, can be filed with uniformity and truth. This 
filer, together with that mentioned in Sec. 18, 
would furnish any sawyer with the means of dress- 
ing both circular and long saws successfully, so far 
as filing is concerned; and in connection with the 
other tools he would be competent, under any cir- 
cumstances, to make a saw work well or condemn 
itself. 



OVER FIVE HUNDRED MILLS IN mvm 

Thirty three per cent, s^ved in the Manufacture of Lumber 
BY USING 

improve:^ie\ts l\ saw mills. 
|iirs0ns' Self-Stritiiiiitg Statioiarg Sato |ramcs 

Hold tlie Saw in its proper position, stretching or 
straining it enough to make it run straight and 
do the best of work, and make a saving of one- 
third of the power commonly used in the old mills. 
This IMP BO VE ME NT for Mills on small streams 
is of great advantage^ enabling them to double their 
work dui'ing the year. 

CERTIFICATES. 

LocKPORT, 8th Mo. 13, 1852. 

Friend Parsons : — ^I have got my mill fpeeded up to oDO, and a nyater run- 
ning saw than the one thee put up was never seen, it beats every thiiii^ of the 
saw kind, the lumber is very smooth and it cuts fast too, aiid does it witn ease. 
I have not spent six cents iu repairs in nine months. 

Yours truly, L. A. SP.\LDING. 

1 hereby certify that I have hai in use one of Parsons' self-straii.ing Saws 
for the last nine months, and I ain satisfied that it is the best Ihave ever seen, 
it will cut % more lumber than a Uate mill with ihe same power, and make it 
most merch-inta'ile, I also recommend his Friction Feed Worlds as one of the best 
in use. If any one doubts the above they can have thoir doubts removed by 
giving me a trial. STiil'HliX LEB. 

Wright Township, Luzerne Co., Pa., Feb. 3, 1853. 

I have sawed with one of Mr. Parsons' self-straining ?aws for the last nine 
months, and find that it will bear Vs i'i<^'i ft^^^d in oak and will run from 100 
to 500 motions per minute with safety, and with '/^ less power than the Gate 
mill ; it cuts lumber the fastest of any up and down saw that 1 have ever seen, 
his Friction Feed Works can't be too highly recommended. I have cut 3,500 
feet of inch boards on a tour of 12 hours. HUKACE STEBBINS, Sawyer. 

Luzerne Co., Pa., March 22, 1854. 

This certifies that I have used one of S. E. Parsons' self-.straiuing Saws in 
use for sonie time past, and that I saw as much luuiber now with HO lb. of 
steam as 1 ever did with 10 ) lb. when I u.sod (h^ (i.-ite. My average tours of 
12 hours are 3,000 f^et. hut I have sawed 5.500 feet on a tour, a id J take plea- 
sure in recommending it lo be tlie best of anything 1 have seen f .r siwiug 
lumber. LKONAUD DAVlrf, 

Hebron, Potter Co., Pa.. July 7, ISo-i. 

I hereby certify that I have had one of P.arsons' self-straining Saws in use 
for the last four months, and it d >es not reiuire so much power by one-third, 
to do as much as the Gate did, and makes the lumber smoother and is not 
difii'-ult to keep in ord'^r. tTEPilKN SLYKEK. 

Kockport, July 19, 1854. 
44 



45 

I hereby ccrtlfv that T hnve had one of Parsons' self strainin? «:iws for nine 
months n:ist in lis-, aiirt I c.u\ ncommond it to all wt.o are buikliMtj now nulls. 
It d.-es iu w..rl< well and will <-nt as much aj,Min as a Qato mill with thcsame 
pnwen and w,- hav never spoiled a b:>ard siuee wo '^«ini"«"?.f,,"\'"B '^^.^"^ 
we wure ilie lirst s;iw down to t^ iuches in width. IIIOS. 11. UUYU. 

15o.kiv.rt, July iMh. isiA. 

This is to rertifv that I have tested ?. K. Parson.s' self-straining Saw with a 
niercnry prrssuiv-auce. and f -und that r,o 11.. of steam gave as good motioQ 

IJarsons' |ron ^<iotnn? |tiction |ttl)ing morks 

rOR COMMON, CIRCUL.\Il OR PORTAULE SAW MFLLS 

Are superior to every otlier, as they give over 100 
changes of feed, without any loss in clianging, and 
thus enable the saw to cut all it can boar, and re- 
quire only one Belt to drive them, which for per- 
feet action and durability have never been beaten. 
The Feeding Works in common use are attended 
with an alniost constant loss. For instance, sup- 
pose your Saw will bear 2} changes of feed, it 
would have to fall back to 2 changes, thus losing 
I of a change every cut of the saw, which will 
amount to a great many feet in the course of a 
vear. besides they are very liable to get out of order. 
The'CAKRIAGrE IROis^S are perfect and simple, 
and enable the carriage to move so easily, that it 
saves from one to three horse power. These, with 
the Feeding Works, have only to be seen to be 
approved. The I^IPROVED MILL DOGS will 
hold a 2 inch plank firmly until sawed, or a 3 feet 
lo<x without spotting, 

^PARSONS' DOUBLE ACTION IRON WATER WHLEL, 

Whioh for simplicity and durability, strength and 
econumy, is very desirable. 

Keiben Riches' Center Vent Iron Wheels and Iron Scrolls, 
Wind I can be u.^cd with equal advantage with the 
shaft vertical or horizontal, with direct action or 
geared, and suitable for all heads, rfirinr/ outseventij 
per cent, of useful effect and so WARRANTED. 



46 

PA11S07(S' IMPROVED CIRCULAR S W MILLS 

"Will cut a board twice as wide as is commonly 
done with the same sized saw. A 40 inch Saw 
will cut a board 30 inches wide, and costs only 
,$33.00, while in the old way it would require an 
80 inch Saw to cut a board as wide, costing $700.00. 
The small Saw needs to be only 3-16 of an inch 
thick, while the larger would require to be f of an 
inch, thus wasting every fifth board, requiring 
four times the power, and three times the trouble 
to keep it in order. 

Parsons' Portable Saw Mill, for Farmers, 
Gives employ for their idle teams in winter, ena- 
bling them to saw their own lumber, at less ex- 
pense than hauling their logs to neighboring mills, 
besides saving their slabs for fences. 

1^^ The Subscriber is prepared to furnish any 
of the above improvements at short notice, be- 
sides Steam Engines of the very best kinds for 
Saw Mills, either geared or direct attachment, and 
he is ready to contract for building Mills, from 
$500.00 to $10,000.00, that will be warranted to 
do one-third more work than any old fashioned 
Mill costing the same amount. Having traveled 
the last four years among Saw Mills, he feels pre- 
pared to build a better Mill with his improvements, 
than any other man. All enquiries respecting his 
business will be promptly and cheerfully answered, 
and drafts of Mills famished to order. Having 
attended the Crystal Palace, in 1853, for a number 
of weeks, he is prepared to furnish valuable infor- 
mation of the best machinery there. Amjyle secu- 
rity given for the performance of all contracts. 
Address the Subscriber at Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne 
Co., Pa. SAN FORD E. PARSONS. 



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